Nixon's Visit to China (1972) History Research Paper

NIXONS VISIT TO CHINA (1972)
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The United States of America and China were long estranged before the resolution for rapprochement. The Communists created the People’s Republic of China (PRC) after defeating nationalists from the initial Republic of China (ROC) who were later purged. However, the legitimacy of the PRC was not recognized by the United States leading to the decline of the relationship between the two countries. With officials and soldiers from the defeated ROC going into exile in countries such as Taiwan, the PRC took over affairs of the country. The United States did not support communism and fought to stop its spread across the world, especially with the Soviet Union. As a result, diplomatic ties between the U.S. and China failed due to the country's rising communist rule, posing a threat to U.S. foreign interests in and around the Asian continent.
The main focus of the following paper lies in the Nixon visit to China in 1972. Furthermore, it will also delve deeper into issues surrounding the visit, the main players involved in the planning and execution of the visit, the key happenings around the visit. Additionally, paper also analyses the impact of the visit on both domestic and international politics in China and the legacy of the event to both countries. The event paved the way for the development of diplomatic relations between the United States and China thus enhancing their relationship based on a mutual understanding. Additionally, both countries were also able to deter the Soviet threat that aimed to destabilize the region.
Background of the Nixon visit to China
The two countries considered the idea of rapprochement in the early 1970s due to various factors affecting the different sides. The United States viewed the escalating Vietnam war triggering more tensions in the region. As a result, there was a need to improve relationships with several communist countries worldwide to prevent future conflicts. Additionally, this would undermine the alliances among the communist countries by the policy of dividing to conquer. This would enable the isolation of North Vietnam that was exceedingly attacking the democratic South. The United States thus saw this as an opportunity to increase their stronghold in the region by creating an agreement with China. On the other hand, China saw this as a chance to reduce the increasing tension caused by their Sino-Soviet relationship. Chairman Mao, the leader of the PRC, worked to realize a socialist state in the country. These personal and political differences with the Soviets led to the escalation of conflicts that threatened to turn into a war. China thus sought a relationship with the United States to protect them from possible attacks from the Soviet Union.
Main Actors of the Visit
President Nixon first hinted at possible talks with China by easing restrictions on the country in the early 1950s. To this effect, trade and travel restrictions were reduced, paving the way for further negotiations. Furthermore, President Nixon also established a communication channel to Chairman Mao through Pakistan’s President, Yahya Khan. Through this channel, communication between the two governments progressed since officially, diplomatic ties were still severed. This also prevented the leakage of the plans to the State Department and the public at large who might not have agreed with the intended relationship with communists. With the further restrictions on travel removed in 1971, Americans could travel to mainland China allowing movements to and from the countries. Henry Kissinger, the U.S. Assistant for National Security Affairs, also visited China twice to further lay the ground for negotiations on the rapprochement process by talking to the Chinese Premier, Zhou Lai. Through this relationship, China benefitted greatly with support from the U.S., especially regarding the assumption of a seat in the United Nations Security Council.
With restrictions on travel reduced, sports played an essential part in the diplomacy used to prepare the Nixon Visit. China, through Zhou, extended an invitation to the U.S. table tennis team while participating in the championship held in Japan in 1971. Their visit made them the first American delegation in China since the 1940s. The all-expenses-paid trip included visits to Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, enabling the players to see the culture and people of China from a different perspective. They were also involved in ping pong games with the idea that friendship had to come first before the competition, which marked the spirit of this diplomatic channel. Thus, this trip caused a ripple effect that propelled the calls for normalization of relations between the two countries. The following year, the Chinese ping pong team visited the United States for a similar tour that further supported the use of the sportsmen as a means of diplomacy. Therefore, the breakthrough in mediations was significantly impacted by the ping pong diplomacy efforts undertaken at the time.
Key Happenings of the Visit
Nixon’s visit in 1972 made him the first head of state to visit China while still in office as president. A critical issue under discussion was about Taiwan, which China claimed was part and parcel of the country. The PRC reiterated their stand on the subject, stating that it was vehemently opposed to calls to let Taiwan be an independent country. This led to the development of the Shanghai Communiquй, where each country supported the stand on the Taiwan Issues. The United States did not contest the Taiwan issue and respected the decision by parties on both sides of the border. As a result, normalization was based on the fact that the no diplomatic relations would be undertaken by the United States with Taiwan as an independent state. The U.S. promised to withdraw any remaining troops in Taiwan and encouraged a quick and peaceful resolution of the dispute between the two regions.
Issues raised by the United States included Indochina, where it stressed that the people from the region must be allowed to forge their own destiny without outside interventions. The U.S. thus hoped for a negotiated solution to the escalating tensions and conflicts in the area. The withdrawal of all military troops by America aimed to ensure the promise of self-determination bears fruit for Indochina. Additionally, the U.S. also showed its support for the Republic of Korea and would work to support communication efforts in the Korean Peninsula to avert possible conflicts. The relationship with Japan also formed part of the U.S. commitment of friendship and determination to maintain close ties. Lastly, President Nixon Stressed that the rights of the people of South Asia to live freely and free from military threats had to be maintained to avoid rivalry in the region.
On the other hand, China reiterated that it opposed hegemony of any type and power politics and was firmly supporting the rights of oppressed people in the fight for freedom. As a result, it also supported the resolution on Indochina in the pursuit of their goals of in...